Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Ushi Taro – San Francisco
Ushi Taro - San Francisco
Photo from Ushi Taro
Ushi Taro at a glance
San Francisco West SoMa
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 65 of the guests
#209 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#25 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
323
Reviews
85.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Flavorful Ramen
- Good Value
- Friendly Service
- Cozy Ambiance
Frequently criticized
- Service Lapses
- Tight Space
- Parking Issues
- Food Inconsistencies
The Japanese restaurant in San Francisco’s vibrant West SoMa district invites you to discover a truly authentic dining experience. At Ushi Taro, you’ll find a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for a relaxed meal.
Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a delightful dinner, this trendy spot offers a welcoming space to enjoy delicious food. You can easily find parking with both free and paid street options available, making your visit convenient.
Overview: Introducting Ushi Taro
Ushi Taro offers a generally positive dining experience, with many guests appreciating the warm service and inviting atmosphere. The food, particularly the unique ramen, garners considerable praise for its distinct flavors.
However, some diners have noted occasional issues with service attentiveness, specifically regarding water refills. Despite its compact size, the restaurant maintains a cozy feel, though this can sometimes lead to a slightly tight dining area.
The overall sentiment leans strongly positive, with many finding the experience to be a good value, making it a noteworthy spot for a casual meal.
Excellent
8.5
out of 10
323
Reviews
85.4%
Satisfaction
26
negative
21
neutral
276
positive
Ushi Taro achieves a solid overall score of 8.5, indicating a well-regarded establishment. Customer satisfaction is also quite strong at 85.4%, suggesting that most visitors leave content with their experience.
This positive reception is based on over 300 customer remarks, with 276 positive comments outweighing the 26 negative ones. Delving into specifics, Food leads the way with a score of (8.6), frequently highlighted for its unique ramen and flavorful broth.
Value (8.8) is also highly appreciated, offering reasonable pricing. While Service (8.3) is generally friendly and efficient, a few comments point to slow water refills.
The Ambience (8.2) is often described as cozy, though some find the space a bit tight.
What people like
- Flavorful ramen broth
- Friendly, swift service
- Reasonable pricing
- Cozy, clean environment
What people don't like
- Occasional slow refills
- Small dining space
- Difficult parking
- Some food inconsistencies
Ushi Taro presents a compelling option for those seeking a distinctive ramen experience that offers good value. The unique beef-based broths and generally warm service create an inviting atmosphere, making it a place worth considering for a casual outing.
With a strong recommendation score of 8.8, it’s clear that many find Ushi Taro a satisfying choice. While minor service and space concerns exist, they don’t overshadow the overall positive impression, making it a solid pick for a flavorful and reasonably priced meal.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Ushi Taro
Food (8.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot truly shines, boasting a good to excellent score of 8.6 and a good customer satisfaction of 87.4%. With 195 positive remarks out of 223 total, diners rave about the delicious beef bone broth ramen, perfectly prepared bone marrow, and tender beef. Don't miss the crispy mushrooms either!
However, not every dish hits the mark, with 14 negative comments noting some thin soup, overly salty elements, or a lack of complexity in certain broths. A few found the filet chunks a bit dry, suggesting some room for improvement in consistency.
Food
223
Reviews
87%
Satisfaction
14
negative
14
neutral
195
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious beef ramen
- Excellent bone marrow
- Crispy mushroom appetizer
What people don't like
- Thin, bland soup
- Salty elements
- Inconsistent meat texture
Often praised
- ramenMy experience at this new ramen restaurant, which recently opened, was exceptional. I found it to be the best ramen I’ve ever had. The gyoza was absolutely delicious, and I was impressed that everything on the menu was fantastic.
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was absolutely fantastic. I can confidently say it serves the best tasting ramen in the entire Bay Area. If you haven't been here before, I highly recommend you cancel whatever you have going on and go here immediately!
- brothThe base of the broth is similar to seolleongtang but a bit lighter
- FoodFood:5
- bone marrowThe customer service is always friendly, and the food is delicious! My favorite is the spicy ramen with bone marrow as a side and edamame; it restores me back to life. My child is obsessed and asks to come back often.
- beef ramenI visited a small, nondescript ramen shop and had a really tasty beef ramen. It was a unique blend, almost like a cross between pork-based tonkotsu and beefy pho.
- meatThe ramen noodles were perfectly chewy, and the broth was so well-balanced. I also enjoyed the curry rice, which featured a flavorful yet light curry sauce and tender meat. The roasted beef bone marrow was another highlight and a definite must-try.
- Ramenthe standard Ramen in PURE BEEF BROTH. The broth was extremely tasty
- beefthe beef was very tender and cooked very well
- crispy mushroomsThe crispy mushrooms were seasoned to perfection
Frequently criticized
- soupthe soup tastes like having msg
- Japanese ramenThe images of food were amazing and very attractive. However, I’m pretty sure this is not authentic Japanese ramen. You can tell from the texture of the noodles and the soup.
- balancethe balance felt off
- beef marrowThe beef marrow was too fatty
- bone marrow add-onHuge regret
- filet chunksThe filet chunks on the gyudon also seemed a bit dry
- lean filet toppingI visited this cozy spot with Asian fusion vibes hoping for a comforting bowl of soup noodles, but it was ultimately a bit underwhelming. The paitan lacked complexity and beefiness, and the lean filet topping felt bland. The noodles were bouncy but perhaps not the ideal type for holding onto the rich broth.
- onsen eggthe "onsen egg" is just a lightly-marinated soft-boiled egg
- paitanThe paitan lacked complexity/beefiness
- saltya bit salty for my taste
If you're a fan of rich beef ramen and unique appetizers like bone marrow, this place is definitely worth a visit. While a few dishes might need a tweak, the overall food experience promises delicious and inventive flavors that will likely leave you satisfied.
Service (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 62% of the guests
Alright, lets talk service! It seems like the team here generally hits the mark, with a solid score of 8.3 and a good customer satisfaction rate of 79.6%. Based on 39 positive opinions out of 49, guests frequently praise the excellent staff and great service, often highlighting attentive and friendly service and the staffs enthusiasm.
Many found the service impressively quick and accommodating, even for special requests like strollers. However, its not all sunshine and rainbows. There were 6 negative opinions mentioning terrible service and poor service.
A few guests experienced a confrontational waitress or noted that water refills were hard to get, indicating a lack of attentiveness. While these instances are fewer, they suggest theres still a bit of room for improvement in consistency.
Service
49
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
6
negative
4
neutral
39
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent, friendly staff
- Quick, attentive service
- Accommodates special requests
What people don't like
- Inattentive service
- Confrontational staff
- Hard to get refills
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had great ramen, enjoyed the awesome service, and appreciated the good atmosphere. It's highly recommended and definitely worth going back.
- ServiceService was friendly
- staffThe gyoza was absolutely delicious, and I was impressed that everything on the menu was fantastic. The pricing is very reasonable, and the staff are incredibly sweet. The place is spotless, and their to-go packaging is the most adorable and thoughtful I’ve ever seen, truly reflecting the staff's consideration.
- waitThe broth was a tasty hug in a bowl! It’s a cozy little spot, but trust me, the wait is totally worth it. The atmosphere is lovely, and the service is lightning-fast.
- Wait timeNo wait
- accommodatedwas still accommodated
- accommodated our stroller/babyVery thankful they accommodated our stroller/baby as well
- attentive and friendly serviceshe provided attentive and friendly service
- customer serviceCustomer service always friendly
- excellent staffMy experience at this restaurant was great. It's a small space with excellent staff. I had the beef curry which was very good.
Frequently criticized
- serviceService could be more attentive, it’s hard to get water refills
- entire experiencepaying for the entire experience
- poor servicethe poor service I received
- waitressMy experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. While the food was great, the service was terrible, with a confrontational waitress. I believe when you are dining inside, you are not only paying for the food, but the entire experience.
- water refillsit’s hard to get water refills
Overall, you can expect a generally good experience with the service, often quick and friendly. While a few isolated incidents suggest minor inconsistencies, the overwhelming sentiment is positive, making it worth a visit if good service is high on your list.
Ambience (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 54% of the guests
The vibe here is definitely a highlight! With a solid score of 8.2 and a fantastic 80.4% customer satisfaction, its clear most folks love the atmosphere. Many of the 37 positive opinions rave about the atmosphere, natural light, and good vibes, describing the place as warm, modern, clean, and having an intimate, cozy Japanese feel, perfect for people-watching.
However, its not without a few quirks, as noted in 6 negative opinions. Some found the dining area a bit small, with tables placed a little too close together. A common practical concern was the difficult parking situation.
So, while charming, be prepared for a snug fit and plan your travel accordingly.
Ambience
46
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
6
negative
3
neutral
37
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Inviting atmosphere
- Cozy, clean space
- Good music/vibes
What people don't like
- Small dining area
- Tables too close
- Limited parking
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had great ramen, enjoyed the awesome service, and appreciated the good atmosphere. It's highly recommended and definitely worth going back.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- people watchingpeople watching is fun if you sit at the window seats
- restaurantit's a very small restaurant, the capacity is maybe 30 people with the 10 bar seats, and 4 tables. It's intimate, but not claustrophobic
- addition to somaWonderful addition to soma
- crowdingMy experience at this restaurant was overall positive, though I believe there are superior ramen establishments in the city. The restaurant is small, which is a nice touch as it doesn't get too crowded. I tried the Beef Bone Marrow, which was recommended.
- decorationsThe decorations are fantastic and gives a bit of that Japanese small ramen shop feel
- digsserved in humble yet homey and upbeat digs
- environmentThe environment is cozy and inviting, really clean
- musicThe music wasn’t so loud, thank God
Frequently criticized
- Parking spaceDifficult to find parking
- Wheelchair accessibilityPretty tight restaurant.
- dining areaThe dining area is a little small, but the ramen is awesome and the wait is totally worth it.
- parkingThis place is a true gem amongst the many mediocre ramen shops in the bay area. I'm willing to drive to the city just for their ramen, even with the parking being somewhat difficult to find. The atmosphere and service were both rated a perfect 5, contributing to a great overall dining experience.
- placeI hesitate to post a positive review because I LOVE this place so much. It's one of the best Ramen restaurants in SF, but it's small and fills up quick. So, stay away.
- tablesThe tables were a bit close together
If youre seeking a cozy, inviting spot with great vibes and dont mind a potentially snug dining area or a bit of a hunt for parking, this place is definitely worth checking out. It offers a charming atmosphere that many find delightful.
Value (8.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 8% of the guests
Alright, lets talk value! This place truly shines, scoring an impressive 8.8 and boasting an excellent 100% customer satisfaction. Based on 5 glowing opinions, customers consistently rave about the price, prices, and pricing, finding them incredibly reasonable and affordable for the quality.
Whats even better? There isnt a single negative word to be found regarding the cost. With zero negative opinions, its clear that guests feel they're getting fantastic bang for their buck, leaving no room for complaint about the value.
Value
5
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable pricing
- Reasonable cost
- Priced well
What people don't like
Often praised
- priceThe price was pretty good, affordable for sf
- pricesPrices are also very good
- pricingThe gyoza was absolutely delicious, and I was impressed that everything on the menu was fantastic. The pricing is very reasonable, and the staff are incredibly sweet. The place is spotless, and their to-go packaging is the most adorable and thoughtful I’ve ever seen, truly reflecting the staff's consideration.
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If you're looking for a spot where your wallet will be as happy as your taste buds, this is it. You can confidently expect excellent value here, making it a definite go-to for an affordable and satisfying experience.
How are the prices at Ushi Taro?
You’re looking at roughly 28 per person – reported by 65 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Japanese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests spend right around this average, with the majority falling within the $21–$30 range. While there are a few higher and lower spenders, prices definitely cluster around the sweet spot.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 65 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering it’s a Japanese restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It hits a good balance for a quality meal without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Ushi Taro
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Amazing Ramen, Minor Add-on Regret
I recently moved back to the city and had a vivid memory of bone marrow ramen. I used to go to the Sunset district location, but when I searched for it, I discovered there was one in SOMA. I visited the SOMA location on my lunch break, and it was just as amazing as I remembered.
I regret not getting the bone marrow add-on this time, but the ramen was still delicious. This is definitely one of the ramen spots I'd recommend to friends. Now that I know the SOMA location is an option, I'll be stopping by every so often to get my fix.
- bone marrow ramen9
- ramen8
- ramen spots9
- bone marrow add-on4
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Delicious Karaage and Tempura, More to Try!
My experience at the restaurant was very positive. I really enjoyed the Beef Karaage, Mushroom tempura, and onsen egg. I'm already looking forward to trying the bone marrow and the beef katsu Curry on my next visit.
- Beef Karaage9
- Mushroom tempura9
- onsen egg8
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Delicious Ramen and Bone Marrow
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! The ramen was absolutely delicious, and the grilled beef bone marrow on the side was excellent too. The atmosphere and service were both rated a perfect 5, and the food itself also received a 5-star rating.
I enjoyed this as a dinner meal with no wait time.
- ramen9
- grilled beef bone marrow10
- Atmosphere10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
10
Exceptional Ramen Gem in SOMA
My experience at this restaurant was truly exceptional, likely one of the best bowls of Ramen I've had stateside. I discovered it near my new spot in SOMA and was immediately drawn to try it on my quest for a great bowl of ramen in SF. While beef ramen was new to me, the photos of the ramen with the prominent bone marrow piqued my interest.
The restaurant itself is small, with a capacity of about 30 people, featuring 10 bar seats and 4 tables. It offers an intimate, yet not claustrophobic, atmosphere, enhanced by fantastic decorations that evoke the feel of a small Japanese ramen shop. The staff included one or two chefs and a very friendly waiter.
We began with the Crispy Mushroom and Beef Karage for appetizers. The Crispy Mushroom was amazing, featuring a light, crispy, slightly salty batter around tender, moist shimeji mushrooms – quite possibly one of the best appetizers I've had anywhere. The Beef Karage was also delicious, but I found myself craving more of the mushroom, which I have ordered on every subsequent visit and will continue to do so.
For my main course, I ordered the Traditional Paitan Ramen with black garlic oil, as recommended by the waiter. The bowl arrived quickly, in under 10 minutes, and was immediately appetizing. It was elegantly presented with rich, appealing broth.
The first taste confirmed it was a quality, perfectly balanced broth – rich but not overly heavy, unlike some I've had elsewhere. The noodles were cooked perfectly, and the other toppings were excellent and paired well. I thoroughly enjoyed every slurp and every drop of soup, leaving completely satisfied and eager to return.
This place is a true gem!
- Ramen10
- Beef ramen9
- restaurant8
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Awesome Ramen, Worth the Wait!
The dining area is a little small, but the ramen is awesome and the wait is totally worth it.
- ramen9
- wait8
- dining area4
What Ushi Taro offers
Crowd
- Tourists
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Beer
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Table service
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What service options are available at Ushi Taro Ramen SOMA?
Ushi Taro Ramen SOMA offers a variety of convenient service options, including no-contact delivery, takeout, curbside pickup, and dine-in. You can choose what best suits your needs for enjoying their Japanese cuisine.
Is Ushi Taro Ramen SOMA accessible for all guests?
Yes, Ushi Taro Ramen SOMA is designed with accessibility in mind. You will find a wheelchair accessible entrance, wheelchair accessible seating, and a wheelchair accessible restroom, ensuring a comfortable visit for everyone.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Ushi Taro?
Ushi Taro generally receives positive feedback, with a customer satisfaction rate of 85.4% and an overall score of 8.5. Most diners appreciate the experience, despite a few minor concerns.
What are the standout features of Ushi Taro's food and dining experience?
The food, particularly the ramen, is a highlight with a score of 8.6, praised for its unique and flavorful broth. Customers also value the reasonable pricing (8.8) and the generally friendly service (8.3). The cozy ambience (8.2) adds to the positive experience.
Are there any common concerns about dining at Ushi Taro?
Some customers have noted occasional issues with service attentiveness, specifically regarding water refills. The dining area can feel a bit small and tight, and finding parking nearby can sometimes be a challenge. A few opinions also mention inconsistencies with certain food items.